USGBC LEED Green Associate Exam Questions

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41.

Which of the following support the health of the local community and regional ecosystems?

  • Regenerative projects

  • Architects

  • Project administrators

  • The multidisciplinary process

Correct answer: Regenerative projects

The term "regenerative building" refers to closed systems that use only as much water and energy as they can produce. Therefore, regenerative means that these sustainable environments evolve with living systems and contribute to the long-term renewal of resources and life. It is a term popular with leaders in the green building field. Regenerative projects support the health of the local community and regional ecosystems. They focus on a variety of ways to improve the experience of occupants and surrounding residents and find numerous ways to improve processes to make them more environmentally friendly.

Architects, project administrators, and the multidisciplinary process might all support the health of the local community and regional ecosystems in various ways, but regenerative building is still the best answer.

42.

A project team that is emphasizing building automation would most likely be working on which LEED credit category? 

  • Energy and Atmosphere

  • Location and Transportation 

  • Indoor Environmental Quality 

  • Innovation 

Correct Answer: Energy and Atmosphere

Building automation is an important strategy for the Energy and Atmosphere category. Automation is one of the best ways to reduce energy use. One example of this is automated lights that turn off if they do not sense any occupants in the room. 

Building automation would not be a strategy in Location and Transportation, Indoor Environmental Quality, or Innovation. 

43.

A project is struggling to decide what rating system to choose between BD+C : Retail or BD+C : New Construction and Major Renovations. The project's floor area is appropriate for 43% of BD+C : Retail and 57% of BD+C : New Construction and Major Renovations. Using the 40/60 rule, which system should they use? 

  • It's up to the team's discretion

  • They should use BD+C : New Construction and Major Renovations

  • They should use BD+C : Retail

  • They should use neither rating system

Correct Answer: It's up to the team's discretion

The 40/60 rule is if the rating system is appropriate for less than 40% of the floor area, then the project team should not use that rating system. If the floor area applies to more than 60% of the floor area, then the project team should use that floor area. If the floor area is appropriate for a percentage between 40% and 60%, then the choice is up to the project team's discretion. Since, in this instance, the floor area of the project applies to between 40% and 60%, the project team can use either rating system; it is up to them. 

44.

How can the general public access the regional priority database?

  • The USGBC website

  • A password-protected LEED document

  • The USGBC project directory

  • It is not designed for use by the general public

Correct answer: The USGBC website

The regional priority database is accessible to the general public through the USGBC website (www.usgbc.org/rpc). This online regional priority credit lookup tool uses the GIS-based credit zones, allowing a user to easily find a project location and its credits.

The regional priority database is not a password-protected document and is separate from the project directory. The regional priority database can be accessed and used by the general public.

45.

In a LEED for New Construction project, what is the maximum number of points a project can earn in the Materials & Resources category?

  • 13

  • 33

  • 1

  • 16

Correct answer: 13

In addition to the required prerequisites, which do not earn any points, there is an opportunity to earn a maximum of 13 points if a project is able to achieve every credit in the Materials & Resources category. The hypothetical project is a LEED for New Construction project for the purposes of this question and answer.

The remaining answers are incorrect and represent maximum point totals achievable in other LEED v4 categories for New Construction projects.

46.

Of the following, which is one of the goals of the Energy and Atmosphere category?

  • Replace the use of harmful and nonrenewable energy with renewable energy

  • Reduce building footprints 

  • Minimize urban sprawl

  • Improve air ventilation and access to daylight 

Correct Answer: Replace the use of harmful and nonrenewable energy with renewable energy

Renewable energy production significantly reduces carbon emissions and is one of the main goals of the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category. 

Reducing building footprints is a strategy to achieve reduced energy demand but not a goal in and of itself. Minimizing urban sprawl, improving air ventilation, and providing access to daylight are not a part of the EA category. 

47.

A restoration team is retrofitting a 100-year-old building into apartments. They want to conserve as much material as possible and earn credit points for building life-cycle impact reduction. What strategy can they do to achieve the most material conservation?

  • All of these

  • Reuse 25%–75% of salvaged building materials

  • Maintain at least 50% of an abandoned building

  • Reduce the amount of raw materials that will be used

Correct answer: All of these

The goal of material conservation is to reduce the amount of raw materials that are used in construction and operation, by optimizing existing building resources and reducing the amount of new building materials. Strategies to conserve materials and earn credit points are as follows:

  • Reusing 25%–75% of salvaged building materials
  • Maintaining at least 50% of an abandoned building
  • Reducing the amount of raw materials that will be used

48.

The USGBC's LEED Pilot Credit Library can be used to attain points in which of the following credit categories? 

  • Innovation

  • Integrative Process 

  • Regional Priority 

  • Sustainable Sites 

Correct answer: Innovation 

One of the strategies that can be used to gain points in the Innovation credit category is by pursuing a pilot credit from the LEED Pilot Credit Library. Pilot credits are being tested by the USGBC and could possibly end up being added to a rating system. 

The LEED Pilot Credit Library would not be used in the Integrative Process credit category, the Regional Priority credit category, or the Sustainable Sites credit category. 

49.

In terms of sustainable site design, which of the following should project teams avoid?

  • Light fixtures that cause uplight

  • Using native landscaping

  • Incorporating pervious surfaces

  • Smart lighting design

Correct answer: Light fixtures that cause uplight

Project teams should avoid installing light fixtures that cause uplight and artificial sky glow. Uplight, as well as glare and light trespass, two other forms of light pollution, can cause problems for nocturnal and migratory animals, as well as disrupting circadian rhythms, sleep patterns, melatonin production, and night vision in people.

LEED project teams should aim to use native landscaping, incorporate pervious surfaces when possible, and use smart lighting design.

50.

A new LEED project is putting together a team. What is true about LEED project teams that are different from traditional building projects? 

  • Teams are comprised of as many related professionals as possible from early on in the process

  • Different professionals are brought in at different times depending on the phase of the project 

  • LEED project teams must be comprised of at least one LEED accredited professional

  • A LEED professional with experience in at least one other similar project must be on the team 

Correct answer: Teams are comprised of as many related professionals as possible from early on in the process

The integrative process is the most effective when the project team is comprised of as many related professionals working on the project from the early stages. This leads to greater collaboration and a more efficient process. 

A LEED professional doesn't need to be on the team, but a project can receive an extra point for having a professional with related accreditation. Bringing on different professionals as they are needed is the typical way building projects are handled. 

51.

The Materials and Resources category offers points for waste stream audits and implementation of waste management policies. At a minimum, LEED projects must recycle all except which of the following?

  • Blackwater

  • Cardboard

  • Glass

  • Plastic

Correct answer: Blackwater

The Materials and Resources Prerequisite–Storage and Collection of Recyclables requires project teams to supply a recyclable storage plan for all of the regular recyclable items. These included mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, metals, and plastics. Blackwater, which is any water that has been contaminated with human waste, cannot be recycled.

52.

ASHRAE 62.1 is the industry standard consulted to accomplish what essential task in the pursuit of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) within the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category?

  • Ensuring adequate ventilation

  • Mitigating mold

  • Tobacco smoke elimination

  • Building materials

Correct answer: Ensuring adequate ventilation

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the reason for most indoor air problems is inadequate ventilation. To achieve the goal of balancing energy demands and delivering adequate fresh air to indoor spaces, ASHRAE 62.1 is the go-to industry standard for proper ventilation system design. LEED project teams must work to improve indoor air ventilation to earn credit in the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category.

The remaining answer options are incorrect, though they all contribute to the problem of poor indoor air quality. Building materials account for only a single-digit percentage of indoor air quality problems, mold can become an indoor air problem but its presence is generally discouraged when there is adequate ventilation, and tobacco smoke elimination is required in the EQ category, but it's not directly addressed in ASHRAE 62.1.

53.

A farmer is using processed organic waste to turn it into a renewable energy source called biogas. Which of the following are they using to accomplish this? 

  • Anaerobic digester 

  • Vertical farm 

  • PV systems 

  • Aeroponic 

Correct answer: Anaerobic digester 

Anaerobic digesters can process organic waste and create biogas, which is a form of renewable energy.  

Vertical farms and Aeroponics don't create energy. PV systems use sunlight to create energy. 

54.

How many credits or prerequisites are addressed in a standard CIR?

  • 1

  • It varies

  • 0

  • 4

Correct answer: 1

For a fee, team members of registered projects seeking LEED certification can submit a credit interpretation request (CIR) to the USGBC through LEED Online. The purpose of submitting a CIR is to clarify a question about implementation strategy for a certain prerequisite or credit within a LEED rating system.

55.

A company has been bought out. The new owners have a triple-bottom-line approach to business. Which of the following is not one of the three focuses of the triple-bottom-line approach? 

  • Governance 

  • Social

  • Economic 

  • Environmental 

Correct answer: Governance 

Governance is not one of the stakeholders valued in the triple bottom line. The stakeholder approach values social (people), economic (profit), and environmental (planet). 

The triple bottom line includes social (people), economic (profit), and environmental (planet). 

56.

All of the following are examples of third-party certifications except:

  • WaterWise

  • Energy Star

  • WaterSense

  • Forest Stewardship Council

Correct answer: WaterWise

Third party certifications include the Forest Stewardship Council, WaterSense, and Energy Star. Products carrying these labels have been found to be environmentally responsible and green-certified.

57.

Which of the following options can buildings employ to reduce their need for refrigerants for EA Credit - Enhanced Refrigerant Management? 

  • Orientation of the building 

  • Mechanical air ventilation

  • Build only in mild climates 

  • Use electric fans 

Correct answer: Orientation of the building 

With mindful planning of the building's orientation on the site, project teams can reduce the need for refrigerants throughout the day. 

Mechanical air ventilation will not reduce the building's refrigerant usage. Building only in mild climates is not practical, although projects built in mild climates can make use of natural ventilation, which can save energy and reduce the use of refrigerants. Using electric fans is not a strategy in LEED and can lead to increased energy usage. 

58.

Which type of process calls on project team members to look for synergies among systems and components, involves rigorous questioning and coordination, and requires collaboration among team members?

  • Integrative

  • Life-cycle

  • Linear

  • Open system

Correct answer: Integrative

Project teams can find synergies between components of a built structure and the land on which it rests via the integrative process. The process is more than a simple checklist or building information model (BIM); each project team member is required to add their input. It's especially important in the early stages when a better understanding of the synergies between building systems can be understood. The result is integrated solutions and opportunities for environmental benefits, efficiencies, and improved performance.

The life-cycle approach involves examining the environmental and financial impacts of a building through its entire lifetime. Most LEED building processes are circular rather than linear; they aim to collect feedback on design processes, then use this feedback to create an improved design. An open system is one in which materials and resources are continually brought in from the outside.

59.

Skylights are to be installed on the roof of an office space. A design team is discussing skylight options with the project owner, and they are comparing three products:

  • Product A: Costs $400 per skylight, reduces energy costs by 70%, allows 80% natural light through to the office
  • Product B: Costs $200 per skylight, reduces energy costs by 40%, allows 70% natural light through to the office
  • Product C: Costs $350 per skylight, reduces energy costs by 60%, allows 40% natural light through to the office

Which of these three products covers the Triple Bottom Line?

  • Product A

  • Product B

  • Product C

  • All three cover the Triple Bottom Line

Correct answer: Product A

The Triple Bottom line is made up of three components:

  • Economic prosperity (profit)
  • Social responsibility (people)
  • Environmental stewardship (planet)

While it costs more upfront, Product A will reduce the energy consumed by lighting fixtures by allowing 80% of light through to the office; this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (environmental). Less energy usage will also mean lower operating costs for the office building (profit). Natural light will create a healthier office space for workers (people).

60.

To provide an incentive for the achievement of credits that address geographically specific credits that have been previously tested is the intent of which category?

  • Regional Priority

  • Energy and Atmosphere

  • Location and Transportation

  • Materials and Resources

Correct answer: Regional Priority

The intent of the Regional Priority category is to provide an incentive for the achievement of credits that address geographically specific needs relating to existing LEED credits. These regional priorities are decided upon by USGBC Regional Councils and chapters in each U.S. state.

The intent of Energy and Atmosphere credits is to address energy use and consumption as described by the LEED rating systems. The intent of Location and Transportation credits is to address site location and factors associated with building users having access to alternative transportation. The intent of Materials and Resources credits is to assess and select materials with preferable environmental characteristics and decide what to do with them after their useful life.